So my dad's 57th birthday is coming up and I want to get him a good quality reel for it. I'm thinking something in the $100-200 range.

A little background: he doesn't go fishing every weekend, but pretty close. When he's at his lake place (ozarks) that's all he does. He also makes an annual trip up to northern Minnesota to fish for walleye and pike. At the ozarks he just mainly fishes for bass. He's more of a fish for the fight, catch & release kind of guy. When he went up north last time, his guide laughed at him and wouldn't allow him to use his own reels (weren't good enough in the guides opinion)

Anyways, any help would be appreciated as I know there are some guys on here who know their stuff...

MO, wouldn't it be great if we could just quit our jobs, drama, etc. and just fish for a living? Seems about the only time I am really at peace. Probably wouldn't be as appealing if I had to rely on it to put food on the table though.

MOhillbilly

11-09-2010, 10:47 AM

Ya it would be nice to live off the land. Every mans dream.

Chiefnj2

11-09-2010, 10:47 AM

Thanks. His personal preference is a Spincast reel (closed). I should have mentioned that, although he may be open to the Open reel you referenced.

I'm not trying to insult your dad, but most people feel that closed face spincast reels are beginners reels for kids who haven't learned how to cast yet. That's probably why the guides wouldn't let him use his own stuff.

You can catch fish on just about any reel. If he doesn't want to go open faced spinning because he's set in his ways then I've heard the Zebco Omega is a good closed faced reel, although I don't have any experience with it myself.

Agree w/ Chiefnj2, it would be a crime to spend $150-200 on a closed-faced reel.

RockChalk

11-09-2010, 11:02 AM

I'm not trying to insult your dad, but most people feel that closed face spincast reels are beginners reels for kids who haven't learned how to cast yet. That's probably why the guides wouldn't let him use his own stuff.

You can catch fish on just about any reel. If he doesn't want to go open faced spinning because he's set in his ways then I've heard the Zebco Omega is a good closed faced reel, although I don't have any experience with it myself.

I'm partial to Shimano reels. I would get him a medium shimano real. Something with at least 6 ball bearings, open face with a bale and rear drag control. That will take care of walley, pike, bass, crappie, whatever.

Demonpenz

11-09-2010, 11:51 AM

reely good thread

tooge

11-09-2010, 11:52 AM

I'm partial to Shimano reels. I would get him a medium shimano real. Something with at least 6 ball bearings, open face with a bale and rear drag control. That will take care of walley, pike, bass, crappie, whatever.

Shimano Symetre would be a great real. Gonna set you back about $110. Has all the stuff a serious multigame fisherman has. Trust me on the rear drag. Most reels dont have it, but it is the only way to go when fighting a larger fish.

Pflueger President XT. Pflueger puts out some great reels. Perfect for walleye, white bass, wipers.

I second that.

Red Beans

11-09-2010, 12:08 PM

I'm partial to Shimano reels. I would get him a medium shimano real. Something with at least 6 ball bearings, open face with a bale and rear drag control. That will take care of walley, pike, bass, crappie, whatever.

I'd agree. I've had good luck with shimano. I'd say splurge on the reel (the more bearings the better) and go with an Ugly Sitck for a rod. Good quality, and reasonably priced.

MOhillbilly

11-09-2010, 12:09 PM

Bass Pro outlet stores will have hundreds of rod and reel combos from 40-60% off. Make sure to check everything out in house and keep your receipt.

I know the home store in spfld has an outlet just south east of the main store, not sure about the others though.

They arent the best, but I'm saying go for broke on the reel and get a mid grade to cheap ass rod. The reel is the investment, rods come and go. Plus if you fish like I do, I'm not spending a shiton on a rod. I'm going to be down at the river bending eyelits and breaking the tips off the sob. It's inevitable, that if you drink and float, at some point a rod's going to be sacraficed. I'm going cheap and replaceable.

tooge

11-09-2010, 12:21 PM

ugly sticks suck.

I like my ugly sticks. I use them for almost everything except for flyfishing of course. pretty damn indestructable and the light weight ones are fairly sensitive too. Personal preference I guess, but why dont you like em?

Chiefnj2

11-09-2010, 12:22 PM

I like my ugly sticks. I use them for almost everything except for flyfishing of course. pretty damn indestructable and the light weight ones are fairly sensitive too. Personal preference I guess, but why dont you like em?

For their price, and the abuse they take they are a good deal. IMO, the tips are too flexible but that's why they don't snap. Lamiglas is the best.

MOhillbilly

11-09-2010, 12:26 PM

If i want a cheap ass float fishin/bank rod i buy a walmart zebco rhino. If i wanna catch fish i buy a bass pro special.
Those XPS rods can take a beating, but cant take a cinder block.

MOhillbilly

11-09-2010, 12:32 PM

I like my ugly sticks. I use them for almost everything except for flyfishing of course. pretty damn indestructable and the light weight ones are fairly sensitive too. Personal preference I guess, but why dont you like em?

I like to feel through the rod/rod tip when i fish. You just cant get the same sensitivity with a cheap rod.

Alot of times i fish in the dark, no light,while frogging, rods make a huge difference in the ability to tell a strike from a rock,tree, ect.
And i dont want the fish to inhale the lure because i cant feel the nibble/strike. Catch and release.